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2026 North American heat wave

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2026 North American heat wave
TypeHeatwave
AreasUnited States

Canada

Start dateJune 28, 2026
End dateOngoing
Losses
Deaths40

Starting in late June 2026, North America has been struck by a severe heatwave. Temperature records have been tied or broken in several major cities across the United States and Canada, with a peak of 106 °F (41 °C) being recorded in Atlantic City, New Jersey on July 4. In Canada, the extreme heat brought large thunderstorms on July 1, Canada Day, which contributed to widespread flooding and thousands of homes being without power. In the United States, the extreme conditions strained public services, including public transit and the power grid, with delays and hundreds of thousands of homes without power for part of the heat wave.

The initial heat dome existed over the eastern United States and eastern Canada from June 28 until July 5. A second heat dome is forming over the western half of the continent, with heat advisories currently in the southwest United States and Alaska. As of July 6, there have been 40 deaths attributed to this heatwave.[1]

This heatwave is concurrent with the FIFA World Cup, United States' Independence Day, and Canada Day, resulting in participants having to take shade and hydrate frequently.[2][3]

Background

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On June 11 the United States National Weather Service found El Niño conditions were present, with the possibility of a "Super El Niño" as the year goes on. Climate scientists predict that with these El Niño conditions, there would be higher temperatures and more of a likelihood of heat waves.[4][5] El Niño and human-caused climate change both contribute to the increased severity of heat waves.[6]

Canada

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Weather forecast for July 2, 2026, showing very high temperatures in Ontario and Quebec
Canada Day storm damage in Ottawa.

In Canada, Ontario and Quebec were under "orange" or "yellow" heat warnings, with temperatures expected to reach upwards of 37 °C (99 °F) in some areas.[7][8] Record high temperatures affected much of Ontario and Quebec on July 1, with a humidex of 46 °C (115 °F) recorded in Ottawa. This extreme heat eventually led to large thunderstorms on July 1, and caused widespread flooding and storm damage across Ontario and Quebec, with a record 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain in Ottawa.[9][10] Many Canada Day celebrations in the National Capital Region had to be cancelled.[11] In Quebec, 100,000 homes supplied by Hydro-Québec lost power on July 2. By the next morning, 50,000 homes still were without power.[12]

United States

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Eastern United States

[edit]
Weather forecast for July 2, showing extreme high temperatures in many areas of the Eastern United States
Road sign in New Jersey warning of excessive heat during the hottest day in 15 years, July 2, 2026

Nearly half of the United States, 180 million people, were under a "major" or "extreme" heat risk by the National Weather Service starting on June 28.[13][14] Temperatures were expected to reach between 100–110 °F (38–43 °C) in many areas.[15] On June 29, the heat index measured at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois was 101 °F (38 °C).[16] The next night, the low temperature was just 81 °F (27 °C) in La Crosse, Wisconsin, tying the all time record warm low temperature.[17] On July 2, ambient temperatures in New York City exceeded 100 °F (38 °C) for the first time since 2012.[18] Boston also reached 100 °F (38 °C) that day, setting a new daily high temperature record and marking the 29th time the city reached the century mark.[19] Amtrak reduced speeds for trains in the Northeast Corridor due to the extreme heat, and several trains were cancelled as well.[20] SEPTA and NJ Transit also faced delays and cancellations due to the heat.[21] The heat wave resulted in a fatality in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania. Additionally, over 17,000 customers lost electricity in New York City during the heat wave.[22][23] PJM Interconnection, which serves power to 67 million people, got near, if not surpassed, its record for power demand, which was previously set in 2006 at 165 gigawatts. Surging electrical demand as a result of the higher temperatures along with loads from data centers. The US Department of Energy ordered all electrical generators to run at full capacity, even backup units, for the second time this summer.[24]

On July 3, following another day of record heat across New Jersey, including Atlantic City, severe thunderstorms in the state resulted in 250,000 power outages. This resulted in many people being unable to use air conditioning.[25] The storms also amplified issues on NJ Transit from heat, forcing additional delays and suspensions.[26]

The heat wave coincided with the US Independence Day on July 4, causing many celebration plans to be canceled, especially in the eastern portion of the country.[27] Parades were canceled or delayed in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and elsewhere.[27][28]

In addition to the fatality in Pennsylvania, at least 22 people died during the heatwave in New Jersey.[29]

From July 4-6, several rounds of severe thunderstorms moved across the United States that broke up the heat dome. However, those storms resulted in over 1.3 million power outages and four fatalities.[30]

Western United States

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Following the heat dome in the eastern United States, a second heat dome started to form across the western and central United States on July 6. Phoenix, Arizona is expected to reach a peak of 116 °F (47 °C) this week, among other cities in the area in the 100s and 110s degrees Fahrenheit.[31] Heat advisories will reach as far as Utqiaġvik, Alaska, where temperatures are expected to reach a peak of 80 °F (27 °C).[32]

Highest temperatures recorded

[edit]
Country Location Temperature Record Date Ref(s).
United States Atlantic City 106 °F (41 °C) All-time (tied) July 4 [33]
United States Washington, D.C. 102 °F (39 °C) Daily July 2 [34]
United States Philadelphia 103 °F (39 °C) Daily (tied) July 2 [34]
United States Boston 101 °F (38 °C) Daily July 2 [34]
Canada Toronto 36 °C (97 °F) Daily July 1 [35]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Extreme heat on Independence Day will be America's new normal, experts say". NPR. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Heat dome threatens sweltering conditions for World Cup players and fans at East Coast venues". NBC Chicago. June 30, 2026. Archived from the original on July 1, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Chief Meteorologist Veronica (June 25, 2026). "Great American State Fair forecast: Pleasant start, rainy Saturday, then summer heat roar". WJLA. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ Erdman, Jonathan (June 11, 2026). "El Niño is here, and could become one of strongest, NOAA says". The Weather Channel. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion". www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ Freedman, Andrew (July 1, 2026). "Cruel summer: Punishing heat waves hit Europe, US, with a preview of what's to come | CNN". CNN. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  7. ↑ Ghaffar, Nazaneen (June 30, 2026). "Ontario and Quebec Face Heat Warnings as High Temperatures Spread Across Canada". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ "A heat wave is set to scorch much of Canada. Take it seriously, experts say". Global News. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  9. ↑ Huston, Gabrielle (July 1, 2026). "'Extreme weather' wipes out Ottawa's Canada Day activities, including fireworks". CBC News. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  10. ↑ "'Record-Shattering' Heat Dome in Eastern Canada, U.S. 'Virtually Impossible' Without Fossil Fuel-Driven Climate Change". The Energy Mix. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  11. ↑ Press, The Canadian. "Thousands without power in Ontario, Quebec amid heat wave after Canada Day storms". northeastNOW. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  12. ↑ Luft, Amy (July 3, 2026). "More than 35,000 Hydro-Quebec clients still without electricity as heat wave continues". CTVNews. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  13. ↑ Dolce, Briana; Waxman, Chris (June 29, 2026). "Hottest temperatures in over a decade threatened in parts of eastern US as dangerous heat dome expands and intensifies". CNN. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  14. ↑ Dolce, Chris (June 26, 2026). "A widespread, searing heat dome settles over the US this week". CNN. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  15. ↑ Duster, Chandelis (June 28, 2026). "A 'heat dome' is driving dangerous heat across the U.S. into the July 4 weekend". NPR. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  16. ↑ Ghaffar, Nazaneen; Jones, Judson; McCann, Erin (June 30, 2026). "Fourth of July Heat Wave Forecast: Here Are the Day-by-Day Temperatures". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Extreme heat dome sizzles NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, DC into July Fourth weekend". The Weather Channel. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  18. ↑ "AccuWeather Alert: Dangerous record heat through July 4th". ABC7 New York. February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  19. ↑ "This July 4th could be hottest ever in parts of U.S. Maps show the forecast expected to break records". CBS News. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Amtrak slows train speeds in Northeast Corridor amid extreme heat". WPRI. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Delays, cancelations on SEPTA Regional Rail because of excessive heat". NBC 10 Philadelphia. July 2, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  22. ↑ "DC breaks heat record, 17,000 customers without power in NYC area". CNN. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Record-breaking heat disrupts America's 250th birthday celebrations and travel". NBC News. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  24. ↑ Ainger, John; Malik, Naureen S.; Wertz, Joe (July 3, 2026). "US extreme heat broke power demand record on largest grid". Lodinews.com. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  25. ↑ "250K Without Power As Severe Storms Rip Through NJ Friday". Patch. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Severe storms leave downed trees, power outages throughout NY, NJ". PIX. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  27. 1 2 Aboulenein, Ahmed; Layne, Nathan. "Heat wave disrupts Fourth of July events across US, strains power grids". Reuters.
  28. ↑ Gilbert, Mary (July 4, 2026). "Extreme heat wave in its final stretch and could fuel storms during July 4 celebrations". CNN. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Heat, storms disrupt US Independence Day as death toll hits 25". Türkiye Today. July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Storms, heat and flooding disrupt United States' 250th birthday celebrations". AccuWeather. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  31. ↑ Rice, Doyle. "So the American heat wave is over... Or is it? Depends where you are". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  32. ↑ Parshley, Lois (June 16, 2025). "Alaska just hit a climate milestone — its first-ever heat advisory". Grist. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  33. ↑ "4th of July forecast: Extreme heat continues, evening storms could threaten fireworks". Fox 29 Philadelphia. July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  34. 1 2 3 Waxman, Briana; Gilbert, Mary; Smith, Dakota; Petersen, Kate (July 2, 2026). "Heat records broken from DC to Boston, more to come Friday | CNN". CNN. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  35. ↑ "55,000 hydro clients in Quebec, Ontario without power after severe storms - Montreal | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
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